The CultCast

Send us a text!With over a hundred thousand attendees, the Penny Arcade Expo is one of the largest video game conventions in the world, and it all started in Seattle, Washington. Hot off the heels of PAX 2018, Erfon sits across his good friend, The Amazing Aaron Hughes, to discuss the state of Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo, their favorite games and spectacles from the event, and how FORNITE and PUBG have changed the face of gaming.  

Send us a text!This week: get ready for the iPhone MAX!  Plus: rumors indicate Apple’s new iPhones will receive a serious price cut; Apple is working on the one feature the  Watch desperately needs; and Leander reveals Apple’s secret sauce—the design and creative processes Cupertino has developed over the years that have helped them create some of the world’s most iconic products.     This episode supported by   Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.   A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters… go to LinkedIn.com/cultcast and get a $50 credit toward your first job post.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   Thanks to Kevin McLeodfor the music you hear on today’s episode.   On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace    Possible new name for the 6.5-inch iPhone takes it to the Max https://www.cultofmac.com/573591/possible-new-name-for-the-6-5-inch-iphone-takes-it-to-the-max/ Apple’s marketing team has reportedly been considering losing the Plus suffix that has been used on the largest models since the iPhone 6 Plus came out in 2014 We’ve already head reports that Apple is going to ditch the “Plus” description for its larger iPhones. Now there’s word that the replacement term could be “Max.” If true, this means that the company will announce a week from today the iPhone Xs with a 5.8-inch display and the iPhone Xs Max with a 6.5-inch one.   2018 iPhones could cost just the same as the 2017 models https://www.cultofmac.com/573625/2018-iphone-prices-xs-plus-max/ With most of the specifications of the 2018 iPhones already known, the largest remaining question is price. A report from the German website Macerkoff, who starts by pointing out that the iPhone 8 costs €799, the iPhone 8 Plus sells for €909, and the iPhone X is €1149. Citing two different sources, the site says the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone expected to be announced next week will cost €799, the 5.8-inch replacement for the iPhone X will be €909, and the 6.5-inch OLED device sell for €1149. If that assumption is correct, the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone will be $699,  the speed-bumped 5.8-inch iPhone X will be $799, and the the 6.5-inch OLED model will be $999.   Apple Watch could get always-on display mode https://www.cultofmac.com/573027/apple-watch-always-on-display/ Apple is developing an always-on display mode for Apple Watch, a new patent application reveals. The fea

Send us a text!This week: hours after Apple sends out their iPhone event invites, a BIG leak reveals what they have in store.  Plus: all our hardware expectations for Apple’s upcoming keynote; Erfon’s first impressions of his new 2018 MacBook Pro, how to get the best discounts, and how to score a free extended warranty.   This episode supported by   Campaign Monitor gives you everything you need to run beautifully-designed, professional email marketing campaigns to grow your business.  No wonder it’s used by more than 250,000 businesses, worldwide.  To start building smart and beautiful email newsletters today, try Campaign Monitor for free at campaignmonitor.com   The Cult of Mac watch store has the best straps in the biz!  Check out the huge Labor Day sale with savings up to 50% at http://store.cultofmac.com.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   Thanks to Kevin McLeodfor the music you hear on today’s episode.   On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney   Confirmed: Apple sends out invites for Sept. 12 iPhone event https://www.cultofmac.com/572637/apple-iphone-event-sept-12/ The "Gather Round" event invites have been sent out.   Apple’s big fall event will take place at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park on September 12. The keynote will start at 10 a.m. PT, during which we expect to see the new iPhone lineup, an Apple Watch Series 4, major improvements to iPad Pro, and more.   Apple Watch Series 4 revealed — massive display, dense watch face, more https://9to5mac.com/2018/08/30/exclusive-apple-watch-series-4/   This is ‘iPhone XS’ — design, larger version, and gold colors confirmed https://9to5mac.com/2018/08/30/2018-iphone-xs-design-larger-version-gold-exclusive/  

Send us a text!Better late than never!  With Erfon and Buster out, Lewis and Leander take the reigns of their very first CultCast to discuss the week's best Apple stories!  Ladies and gentlemen, this is one for the record books. This is last week's episode come late.  We'll have another new episode out this week.

Send us a text!This week: Alex Jones and free speech, part 2.  Plus: Ming-Chi Kuo says the Apple car is real, and you can drive it off the lot 2023.  And stay tuned for our most loved tech!  We’ll discuss the gadgets and apps we can’t be without.   This episode supported by   Easily create a website by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.   Campaign Monitor gives you everything you need to run beautifully-designed, professional email marketing campaigns to grow your business.  No wonder it’s used by more than 250,000 businesses, worldwide.  To start building smart and beautiful email newsletters today, try Campaign Monitor for free at campaignmonitor.com   CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   Thanks to Kevin McLeod for the music you hear on today’s episode.   On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace / @bst3r   Kuo: Apple to Launch Apple Car in 2023 to 2025 https://www.macrumors.com/2018/08/14/ming-chi-kuo-apple-car-2023/ According to Kuo, Apple will launch an Apple Car sometime between 2023 and 2025.  He said this is a recent note to investors: "We expect that Apple Car, which will likely be launched in 2023–2025, will be the next star product. The reasons for this are as follows: (1) Potentially huge replacement demands are emerging in the auto sector because it is being redefined by new technologies. (2) Apple’s leading technology advantages (like AR) would redefine cars and differentiate Apple Car from peers’ products (3) Apple’s service will grow significantly by entering the huge car finance market via Apple Car, and (4) Apple can do a better integration of hardware, software, and service than current competitors     We may finally know AirPower Mat price https://www.cultofmac.com/569989/we-may-finally-know-airpower-price/ The long-awaited launch of Apple’s AirPower wireless charging pad may coincide with the launch of the 2018 iPhone lineup. Based on a new report out of Asia, Apple engineers are in the debugging phase of the AirPower rollout. The product may not launch on the exact same day as the 2018 iPhones, but a Chinese site claims to know the planned price. And it’s not going to be cheap. Though a previous rumor claimed the price could hit $200, Apple will reportedly charge $149 for the AirPower charging mat, according to Chongdiantou. Overheating issues have allegedly caused delays with the Apple charging pad   Our most-loved gadgets!   Anker Powerhouse https://amzn.to/2leoxlP   Parrot Zik 3 headphones

Send us a text!This week: Apple wipes the Infowars podcast from iTunes, but should they be getting involved in the censorship game?  Plus: we look at the new gadgets announced at Samsung’s unpacked event; and we discuss some of the biggest TV news of the decade in an all-new Under Review!   This episode supported by   A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters… go to LinkedIn.com/cultcast and get a $50 credit toward your first job post.   Casper makes the internet’s favorite mattress.  Learn why at Casper.com/cultcast, and use code "CultCast" at checkout for $50 off select mattress purchases.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   Thanks to Kevin McLeod for the music you hear on today’s episode.   On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace   EU may force iPhone to switch from Lightning to USB https://www.cultofmac.com/568215/eu-may-force-iphone-to-switch-from-lightning-to-usb/ EU regulators are considering whether they need to force a common standard for phone chargers. The idea is to cut down on the 51,000 tons of old chargers and cables thrown away each year. Way back in 2009, the European Commission pressured Apple and 13 other companies to work toward a common charging standard by 2011. All the other signatories gave up their proprietary plugs and switched to USB.  Apple switched to lightning, their own proprietary port. Accordingly to Reuters, that didn't satisfy that EU Commissioner of Competition, and now the commission is launching an impact assessment study to evaluate costs and benefits of different other options, the other option being forcing Apple to adopt USB on the devices.     Apple removes InfoWars and Alex Jones podcasts https://www.cultofmac.com/567935/apple-removes-infowars-and-alex-jones-podcasts/ Apple has removed the entire back catalog for five InfoWars’ six podcasts on iTunes and its Podcasts app. One of these shows is the daily “War Room” show hosted by owner and radio host Alex Jones. Shortly thereafter, Facebook removed InfoWars page, YouTube removed their channel, Pinterest pin boards, Linked In removed the InfoWars page, Mail Chimp refuses to send their emails, and website comment host Disqus has given them the boot. "Consistent with our existing policies, we take action against accounts that repeatedly save content that could lead to harm," a Pinterest spokesperson said in an email statement.     Samsung preps rivals for Apple Watch and HomePod https://www.cultofmac.com/568965/samsung-galaxy-watch-home-apple-homepod/   What we’re into!   The Orvil

Send us a text!This week:  Is the i9 MacBook Pro a total ripoff?  One YouTube reviewer says yes, and his tests are convincing.  We’ll fill you in.  Plus: the journey to a trillion!  How did Apple become the most valuable company on earth?  We discuss, and remember the company's troubled history. And stay tuned for the sad decline of MoviePass.  Is the troubled movie service still worth it?   This episode supported by   Easily create a website by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   Thanks to Kevin McLeodfor the music you hear on today’s episode.   On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace   i9 Macbook Pro - Apple's biggest RIPOFF! - erfon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSvfEhdNT4s&frags=pl%2Cwn YouTuber Max Yuryev pitted the 2.2Ghz and 2.6Ghz i7 MacBook Pros against the the 2.9GHz i9, and the results aren’t great.  These are the tests I’ve been waiting for. in his Cinebench test, he found the i9 beat the i7 by only 2 percent, averaging only 3.15Ghz, while both the 2.2Ghz and 2.6Ghz i7’s both averaged 3.05 Ghz. And in test after test, he showed that the i9 rarely performs better than the 2.6Ghz i7. Why?  It seems like it comes down to heat.  Even with the patch, the MBP struggles to keep the i9 cool enough to keep it in turbo mode, and sometimes it’s even not cool enough to run at base clock. For example: In his Red Raven 4.5K Raw rendering test, he noticed that the 2.2Ghz i7 ran about 500Mhz over base clock speed, the 2.7 ran about 200Mhz over base, and the 2.9 ran about 500Mhz below base clock. He noted that the GPU and CPU use the same cooler, so if you’re pushing the GPU, like many rendering apps do, the CPU won’t be cooled as well, so can end up throttling more than you’d want. So what does all these mean?   It doesn’t seem to make sense to pay extra for the i9.  It matches or barely beats the 2.6Ghz in many tests, and sometimes can’t even beat the 2.2Ghz i7. A better value, and bigger a bottle neck in the 2018 MBP isn’t the CPU, it’s the GPU. The base MBP comes with a 555X Radeon GPU, whereas the premium 2.7Ghz i7 and 2.9Ghz i9 models come with a Radeon 560X, and that’s what made the biggest difference in his tests. My thoughts, go with the 2.7Ghz i7, the 560X GPU, and use the i9 money you save for extra SSD space.     The biggest takeaways from Apple’s dominant Q3 earnings results https://www.cultofmac.com/566691/the-biggest-takeaways-from-apples-dominant-q3-earnings-results/ Apple beat Wall Street’s expectations today w

Send us a text!This week:  Apple has issued a patch that significantly increases performance for all 2018 MacBook Pros, but there's one glaring problem it doesn't fix...  Plus, we talk new HomePod features from iOS 12 beta, and we wrap up with your emails!   This episode supported by   The Cult of Mac watch store offered a curated collection of beautiful Apple Watch bands at prices far lower than what Apple charges.     CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   Thanks to Kevin McLeodfor the music you hear on today’s episode.     On the show this week @erfon / @lewiswallace / @bst3r     Consumer Reports says MacBook Pro thermal throttling is a feature not a bug https://www.cultofmac.com/564741/macbook-pro-thermal-throttling-consumer-reports/ Consumer Reports came to the Apple's defense this week. The consumer-testing organization points out that other laptops with top-tier processors are also subject to thermal throttling. “Most processors have had this capability built in for years,” says Richard Fisco, an electronics testing program leader at Consumer Reports. “I would rather have the system throttle and take a lot longer to do things than just let itself get fried.” They recommend a desktop “If you absolutely need bleeding-fast speed — perhaps you’re a programmer who regularly compiles large applications or someone who edits huge amounts of high-resolution video — a high-end desktop may be a better bet than a souped-up laptop,” wrote Consumer Reports.     Apple issues thermal throttling fix for 2018 MacBook Pros https://www.cultofmac.com/564973/macbook-pro-thermal-throttling-fix-macos-high-sierra/ Apple saw Dave Lee’s video, and worked with him to figure out what was going on. Turns out, a major part of the problem was actually a big in the firmware, which was preventing the fans from coming as often or as high as they should. “Following extensive performance testing under numerous workloads, we’ve identified that there is a missing digital key in the firmware that impacts the thermal management system and could drive clock speeds down under heavy thermal loads on the new MacBook Pro. A bug fix is included in today’s macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Supplemental Update and is recommended" Apple went on to say this should result in better performance for every version of the new MacBook Pro, even i7 models.   Core i9 MacBook Pro - After the Patch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTguywiC9aw Dave confirmed that now, MBP fans actually come on, which increased performance on the i9 to the save level achieved with the MBP in the freezer. In his tests, the 2018 i9 model is now 30-35% faster than the 2017 i7 model.

Send us a text!This week: The 2018 MacBook Pro is both a beauty AND a beast.  In fact, it's one of the most exciting MBP refreshes in years.  The benchmarks are in and they’re impressive.  A popular tech reviewer warns that the i9 processor upgrade in the MBP has a major flaw, and his video proof is compelling.  We’ll fill you in. We also bring back Matthew Taylor, creator of the very popular butterfly keyboard recall petition, now with over 32,000 signatures,  to have a frank discussion on the state of the 2018 MBP keyboard.  Has Apple fixed the issues plaguing their butterfly key design?   And stay tuned for a strange new HomeKit controller and the best insulated water bottle on the market in an all-new Under Review!   This episode supported by   Easily create a website by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   Thanks to Kevin McLeodfor the music you hear on today’s episode.   On the show this week @erfon / @lkahney / @lewiswallace     2018 MacBook Pro performance shows dramatic improvement https://www.cultofmac.com/562621/2018-macbook-pro-performance-geekbench-scores-benchmark/ The 15- and 13-inch MacBook Pro models launching this week boast significantly faster processors. Tests with the Geekbench benchmarking tool show speed increases as high as 86 percent. The improvements come from faster Turbo Burst frequencies and more processor cores. “For the 15-inch models, single-core performance is up 12-15%, and multi-core performance is up 39-46% “For the 13-inch models, single-core performance is up 3%-11%, and multi-core performance is up 81%-86%   2018 MacBook Pro review roundup: Apple unleashes a speed demon https://www.cultofmac.com/562925/2018-macbook-pro-review-roundup/ Majorly faster CPU Much faster SSDs Faster DD4 RAM CPU: John Poole from Geekbench: “The 2018 MacBook Pro is the most substantial upgrade (at least regarding performance) since the introduction of the quad-core processors in 2011 MacBook Pro,”  Photography Austin Mann did to covert a 4K Mavic Pro video file to 1080p H.265 (HEVC) using QuickTime Player.  2013 MBP with 16GB RAM = 33 minutes Maxed out 2016 MBP = 99 seconds Maxed out 2018 MBP = 24 seconds SSD Laptop Mag: “It’s rare that I don’t believe

Send us a text!This week: it’s the best update in YEARS.  We’ll tell you everything you need to know about Apple’s very powerful new MacBook Pros. Plus: new Mac Minis are on the way; Ming-Chi Kuo confirms Apple’s about to update their entire product line; how Coke-heads use Apple watch to maximize their high; and we talk Killer Whale attacks, port wines, and the story of Saturday Night Live's world renowned sax player on an all-new Under Review.   This episode supported by   The Cult of Mac watch store has the best straps in the biz!  Check out the huge Black Friday sale with savings up to 50% at http://store.cultofmac.com.   CultCloth will keep your iPhone X, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad sparkling clean, and for a limited time use code CULTCAST at checkout to score a free CleanCloth with any order at CultCloth.co.   Thanks to Kevin McLeod for the music you hear on today’s episode.   On the show this week @erfon / @lewiswallace / @lkahney   Apple updates MacBook Pros with 8th gen Intel Coffee Lake CPUs and ”quieter” keyboards 13” gets 4 cores 15” get six cores with options i7s on both machines with faster i9 chip available on 15” Apple says that the 15-inch model will have a 70 percent performance increase, and the 13-inch model should double in speed. Keyboards have been made quieter, but Apple told The Verge that this 3rd gen keyboard has not been designed to alleviate the issues they say are only affecting a “tiny portion” of buyers 32GB RAM and 4TB SSD option now available on 15” model for a mere $6700 Both models come with True Tone displays, which allows the screen to change its color temperature based on the color temperature of the room. Interestingly, the Touch Bar will also support True Tone These will also be Apple’s first laptops to support “Hey Siri”   New Mac mini and cheaper MacBook might finally land this fall https://www.cultofmac.com/561703/mac-mini-2018/ Ming Chi Kuo has basically just confirmed what I’ve been saying the last couple of weeks: Apple is about to drop an orgasmic amount of updated hardware products on us. Yes, according to Kuo’s new report, Apple is getting ready to update almost their entire hardware line.   iPhone - There are three iPhones in the works, two OLED models in 5.8 and 6.5-inch sizes and one lower-cost LED model that will be available in a 6.1-inch size. All three will feature Face ID and upgraded A12 processors. While the two OLED models will have dual-lens cameras, the lower-cost model will feature a single-lens camera. iPad Pro - Apple is working on two new 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models that are equipped with a full-screen design similar to the iPhone X and no Home button, with Apple to replace Touch ID with Face ID. Mac mini - Kuo didn't have a lot of information to share on this one, but he did say a processor upgrade is expected.  He did not say if additional upgrades would be included, like as a redesigned body. It’s been over 3 and a half years since the Mac Mini was updated, and they’re s